British cops meet slain Indian student’s kin again

Pune, Jan 3 (IANS) For the second consecutive day Tuesday, British police officers visited the grief-stricken family of 23-year-old Indian student Anuj Bidve, who was shot dead in Manchester a day after Christmas.

“Officers from GMP (Greater Manchester Police), as you know, travelled to India Sunday. The purpose of the visit was to speak to the family of Anuj and support them in what must be one of the most difficult times of their life,” Manchester Police Chief Superintendent Russel Jackson told reporters after meeting the family here.

“In all incidents of murder, we use specially trained family liaison officers who work with the family. Their role is support and guide them in the process of reviving their loved ones back and court proceedings,” he added.

Jackson said that it is not uncommon for British police to send officers to other countries if the victim was from outside the country.

“We met with the family last night for several hours and were able to fill in some gaps in understanding of events leading to Anuj’s death. We shall remain in close contacts in coming months if not years,” Jackson told reporters.

He said that in Britain, following the charging of a suspect, the defence is entitled to a second autopsy, which is underway in Bidve’s case.

“After this, Her Majesty’s coroner will be able to consider release of Anuj’s body. Anuj’s family is aware of this and the detailed reasoning behind this. At this time, it is their intention to fly to UK to return with the body. The details of this are being worked out,” he added.

Asked about the family’s future course of action, Anuj’s cousin sister Suruchi Wagh said they will communicate with the media only after they are in possession of his body.

However, family sources added that Anuj’s kin may fly to Britain as early as Wednesday.

Bidve was shot in the head from close range in the early hours of Dec 26. Police are treating the killing as a “hate crime”.

A 50,000-pound reward has been offered by police to help catch the killer.

Bidve was a postgraduate student in micro-electronics at Lancaster University.

While three people aged 19, 20, and 16 and two 17-year-olds were arrested in connection with the case Sunday, 20-year-old Kiaran Stapleton, from Ordsall (Greater Manchester) was Monday charged with the murder.